News

2013-08-06 11:19:11.277

Marshall Couple Claims $1 Million Powerball Prize

A couple from Marshall claimed a $1 million Missouri Lottery Powerball prize from the July 24 drawing. Tommy and Judy Bartlett presented the winning ticket at the Kansas City Lottery office on July 26. Judy purchased the Quick Pick ticket at Quick Run, Highway 65, in Marshall. She discovered it was a winning ticket after Tommy called her with the news that a $1 million winning ticket had been sold in Marshall.

“He heard on the radio that someone in Marshall had hit the five white balls,” she began. “And he told me that I better check the ticket, where usually, I would just put it in my purse and forget about it for four or five days.”

When Judy went to the computer and saw the third set of numbers on her ticket matched, she got excited.

“I checked them, then I called him (Tommy), and then I called my daughter in Tennessee,” continued Judy. “She told me I sounded like a Chihuahua on the phone. I was very excited!”

The Bartletts play Powerball when the jackpot gets big, but they bought a ticket for the July 24 drawing in a roundabout way. Judy had been to the hospital for back pain, and upon leaving, she was presented with a positive sign.

“I walked out and hit the elevator button,” she recalled. “Elevator came up, and I found a dollar heads up. That dollar went toward the Lottery ticket. I hadn’t had any good luck. It took 56 years to get it.”

She didn’t decide to play Powerball right away.

“We passed it on the way going home, and I told him, ‘Stop and buy a Lottery ticket,’” she said.

“At first we were only going to buy $4 worth, but we ended up getting $6 worth, and it was the last number that rolled out,” she continued.

“Maybe I can pay all my bills, now,” joked Tommy.

Tommy, 55, who is employed as a truck driver for Hahn & Phillips Grease Company, said he would continue working.

“I may not work quite as hard as I have been, but I’m going to keep my job,” he said.

The Bartletts said they would use the windfall to help their three daughters and two grandchildren.

Tommy said that he buys tickets when the Powerball jackpot gets big, but joked that he might as well “take a match” to the little money he spends. However, he was glad he bought tickets on July 24.

“I was shocked when she called and told me,” he declared. “I still don’t believe it.”

Powerball is a multi-state Draw Game with jackpots that start at $40 million. Players who match all five white-ball numbers win a $1 million prize. For an extra $1 at the time of purchase, players can add Power Play and turn that Match 5 prize into $2 million. The Bartletts are the 22nd winners of the $1 million Match 5 prize in Missouri.